Official announcements from Los Angeles County authorities or local news outlets

29 Arrested for Looting in LA Wildfires, Including Man Dressed as Firefighter in Malibu

Jan 12, 2025, 09:49 PM

Amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, authorities have arrested 29 individuals for looting in the fire zones, including a man who was caught burglarizing a home while disguised as a firefighter. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that the man was apprehended in the Malibu area, part of the Palisades Fire evacuation zone. The suspect was initially mistaken for a real firefighter by Sheriff Luna, who approached him to check on his well-being, only to discover he was in handcuffs. The arrests were made across two major fire zones, with 25 in the Eaton Fire area and four in the Palisades Fire area. The man dressed as a firefighter was among those arrested for impersonating a first responder, a crime that could lead to a year in jail. The wildfires have caused widespread destruction, killing at least 16 people and destroying over 12,000 structures, prompting evacuations and curfews in the affected areas.